August 8,7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Analog computers were once the dominant computing machines in engineering and science, but have now been almost completely replaced by digital computers. While there are practical reasons for preferring digital computers over analog, there are theoretical reasons to rehabilitate our understanding of analog computation. Neuroscientists and cognitive scientists, for example, routinely explain the workings of our minds by appealing to the computations that the brain performs. But, because these computations seem to be analog, rather than digital, we need to know more about what “analog” means.

In this lecture, Dr. Corey Maley will discuss how research into the history of analog computers allows us to understand computation in a non-digital way. While the history of digital computation is well-understood, the history of analog computation has received very little attention. He will also show how this broader understanding of computation helps make sense of contemporary claims about the computational nature of the mind and brain.

The speaker

Corey Maley is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Kansas. He completed his PhD in philosophy at Princeton University, and his BS and BA at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He focuses on two areas of research: the role of computation in scientific explanation, and the nature of moral emotions such as guilt and shame.

Admission tickets

The event is free and open to the public; however, e-tickets are required.

The main entrance to the Library grounds is on Cherry Street. Parking is free in Library parking lots and along the west side of Holmes Street between 51st and 52nd streets. The Linda Hall Library is not affiliated with UMKC. Parking in all UMKC lots is by permit or meter. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.